Korean Movie Review: 집으로... (The Way Home)

[hlwar]

A little boy with a big city attitude meets his countryside grandmother for the first time, and must learn to live with her while his mother job hunts. An award-winning and heartfelt film!

"Jibeuro ..."
Release Information:
Directed by: Lee Jeong-hyun
Released by: CJ Entertainment (2002)
Running time: 88 minutes
Genre: Family | Drama

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Synopsis
For seven year old Sang-woo (Yu Seong-ho) life turns upside-down when his mother (Dong Hyo-hee) loses her shop. As a single mother with no incoming funds, she decides to leave Sang-woo to stay with his grandmother (first time actress Kim Eul-bun) while she job-hunts in Seoul. Sang-woo has never been to his grandparent's home in the countryside and has no idea what to expect. Armed with a few toys, a handheld video game system, some cans of cola, and a few tins of Spam, Sang-woo is dropped off at his grandmother's, a bent, mute elder who is very giving in her loneliness.

However as an independent city-kid, Sang-woo wants nothing to do with her, and indeed becomes very aloof to her presence. He's disgusted when he finds that the remote village has no television, indoor plumbing, fast-food restaurants, or even any minor conveniences such as batteries. Even when local boy Cheol-yee (Min Kyeong-hun) tries to befriend him, Sang-woo rejects his simple pleasantry.

Soon the solitude forces him to try and communicate more and more with the new world around him, especially when he meets pretty little Hae-young (Yim Eun-kyun). Through her attentive efforts, Sang-woo's grandmother begins to instill understanding and love in the boy who had played so arrogant before, creating a new lasting bond between the generations.

Trailer

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Review (Spoiler Warning)
I'll be perfectly honest and say that this is not typically the type of movie I go out of my way to watch. I'm very cynical and not fond of children. Having said that, I can also tell you I cried at the end of the movie.

The Way Home is just one of those special little gems that is poignant in its simplicity, completely touching, and pure. The film was dedicated "to all grandmothers" and is definitely one I recommend you watch with your family, parents and grandparents. A definite classic!

Straightforward cinematography conveys the simple mood of this film, and each scene meticulously blends together the progression of emotions. The country setting is beautiful and spacious, which can even more make you both see and feel Sang-woo's solitude in this new world. Cute orchestrations keep to the care-free tone, and overall this is one adorable, perfect treasure!

My only negative comment would be I did not care for Sang-woo, which I suppose is no surprise given my initial statement. Yes, I understand he grew up unsupervised with his mother often leaving him to work, and then all but abandoned him with a stranger, and that would be hard for anyone, especially young children. But my word, the attitude on this kid! His mother had to drag him to the house, kicking and screaming. And even when he first met his poor, old grandmother, he raised his hand several times as if to strike her and called her names; my jaw dropped in shock and outrage. I did love Cheol-yee, though, he was an adorable little gentleman. (Naturally it shows how it boils down to different parenting and environment.)

Although I liked how this movie stayed realistic until the very end. Sang-woo never changed his attitude, he just became more open to his grandmother and her surroundings. I appreciate that because, like I said, I don't tend to enjoy entirely "goody goody" films. I think another endearing quality of this film is its honesty.

The Way Home was a box-office success in Korea and is earning rave reviews from around the world for its rich family experience. I wholeheartedly agree this is a tender, must see movie. And bring a hankie.

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2005.